Setting out for a day trip to Cypress for some hiking. Of course I could have just stayed the night at Doe Island, but NOAA was calling for SCA and 3-5 footers, so I made a run for it back to home port. Turned out to be a false alarm, so I'm heading back out!

Heading up the slough. It doesn't get any calmer than this. Thanks again NOAA for the SCA forecast!

Flat calm north of the swinomish channel

Rounding from Guemes to Bellingham Channels

Cruising up Bellingham Channel

Grabbed my favorite, innermost buoy at Eagle Harbor at low tide, only about 5 feet here.

On the buoy at Eagle Harbor, Cypress

At low tide, it's best to land in these rocks off to the side of Eagle Harbor, unless you prefer to get muddy.

Looking over towards the beach in Eagle Harbor, which is muddy at low tide

One last look at Eagle Harbor before setting out on my hike

Kiosk at Eagle Harbor

Reminder not to anhor in Eagle Harbor. The buoys are free.

Cypress Rules

Which way should I go?

Duck Lake sounds interesting, never been before

Duck lake trail, hidden back behind the shrubs, if not for the sign I would hav missed it.

After a relatively easy climb you reach a junction in the trail. But no sign to Duck Lake?

I must have chosen the right trail, appears to be a lake up ahead.

Finally found the lake. But mostly covered with lily pads from this side.

Trail along east side of lake heading north. At least a dozen different types of birds singing loudly along this trail, it was a bit surreal.

Nice little bench to just sit and listen to all the birds!

A better view of the lake, apparently covered entirely by lily pads.

At the northeast corner of the lake another trail cuts off to the west, along the north end of the lake

Trail to Smuggler Cove. Hmmm. The Navionics charts on my iPhone doesn't show any Smugglers Coves on Cypress, so not sure where this goes. Guess we'll find out!